The event is billed as full of “fast-paced, hard-hitting ideas, inspiration, education, networking and innovation from some of the industry-leading architects, firms and building product manufacturers.”

A’17, the American Institute of Architects’ Conference on Architecture, is underway at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando and will go through Saturday (April 29).

Conference-goers can expect three days of seminars, speakers, awards, tours and networking opportunities, as well as A’17’s party, which this year is boasting Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts Band.

Speakers

Former First Lady Michelle Obama kicks off the conference at 12:50 p.m. today (April 27) in Hall C. She is expected to talk about initiatives she championed while former President Barack Obama was in office, such as “Joining Forces,” which called on all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities, and “Reach Higher,” aimed to inspire young people across America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school.

AIA’s keynote roster also features a number of leading lights of architecture—including 2016 Pritzker Prize Laureate Alejandro Aravena and MASS Design Group co-founder Michael Murphy. Harvard professor Amy Cuddy, an expert in professional body language, will also address the attendees.

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